In a tragic turn of events, the former boyfriend of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who brutally killed her by setting her on fire, has died from burns sustained in the attack. Dickson Ndiema, who had been admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya with burns on over 40% of his body, succumbed to his injuries on Monday night.
Cheptegei, a talented marathon runner who represented Uganda at the Paris Olympics, was attacked by Ndiema as she returned home from church over a week ago. She suffered horrific burns to over 80% of her body and died last Thursday, leaving behind a shocked and grieving community.
The motive behind the attack is believed to be a dispute over a small piece of land in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained. Ndiema had been named as the main suspect in Cheptegei’s murder, but with his death, the criminal case has been dropped, and an inquest into the two deaths will be opened instead.
Cheptegei’s tragic death has sparked widespread outrage and concern over violence against women in Kenya. She was the third female athlete to be killed in Kenya over the last three years, with current or former romantic partners named as the main suspects in each case.
The incident has highlighted the alarming trend of gender-based violence in Kenya, where women are increasingly vulnerable to attacks and abuse. According to a national survey, at least 34% of women in Kenya reported experiencing physical violence in 2022.
The Ugandan Olympic Committee has expressed shock and sadness over Cheptegei’s death, with secretary-general Beatrice Ayikoru stating, “I don’t wish bad things on anyone, but of course, I would have loved for him to face the law as an example for others so that these attacks on women can stop.”
Cheptegei’s death has also sparked an outpouring of tributes and condolences from the athletics community, with many praising her courage and determination. She will be buried on Saturday at her ancestral home in Bukwo, Uganda.
As Kenya grapples with the aftermath of this tragic incident, there are calls for increased action to protect women from violence and abuse. Rachel Kamweru, a spokesperson for the government’s department for gender and affirmative action, said, “We don’t want this to happen to any other woman, whether an athlete or from the village, or a young girl.
